Debbie Campbell (Salisbury) and her mother, Ann Smith, with prize winning irises “Frosted Fantasy.”
Salisbury - The Eastern Shore Iris Society, an affiliate of the American Iris Society, hosted its annual judged show on Sunday, May 10th. Nearly 200 specimens were exhibited in 16 classes and two divisions. Cultivar “Frosted Fantasy” grown and exhibited by Debbie Campbell of Salisbury, garnered the title of Queen of the Show (Best in Show). Frosted Fantasy is a white tall bearded iris. Campbell says that her love for iris gardening came from her grandmother, Naomi Long, who was a longtime member of ESIS and brought Debbie along to club functions when she was small. Campbell says that throughout her lifetime, gardening has been a joy that she has shared with family and friends, especially when it comes to iris cultivation. Campbell is currently seeking youth interested in becoming junior AIS members who would like to grow iris and show blooms in future judged shows.
Among other top specimens receiving top runners-up honors were “Thornbird,” a space-age iris, also entered by Campbell; “Vanity,” a pink tall bearded iris entered by Janice Harrington of Laurel, DE; “Lighter Moment” a blue/ purple miniature tall bearded entered by Dee Hunter; and “Stellar Lights,” a deep blue tall bearded iris also entered by Janice Harrington. Campbell said that while it was an exciting honor that her gardening efforts had produced this year’s top iris, “the results of a good day’s work in the garden are a fine reward in itself, so everyone was a winner.“
The group is also well known by local garden enthusiasts for its annual rhizome sale, which will be held on July 25 this year at the Centre at Salisbury. “Mark your calendar for some of the best deals you’ll ever find on iris and varieties that equal or surpass most catalog offerings,” says Ann Dumler. For more information on the sale or membership in the American Iris Society contact Dumler at 410-742-5410.
3 comments:
My mother happened to be visiting from Wisconsin during this show a couple of years ago, bought some irises, and they are blooming right now! She loves them.
FatMan is jealous.
Debbie loves the garden and she is very generous about sharing her knowledge along with cuttings from her plants. She has shared the joy of gardening with many and this is a lovely photo of Debbie and her mom.
Post a Comment